Making A Difference

If you listen to Jamie Williams explain the world of aquaponics, you would think he has a college degree in the subject. But where he became inspired by the subject is even more fascinating, and that’s because it happened inside of the Cook County Jail. NBC 5’s Christian Farr reports.

A Chicago church is desperately trying to collect more toys to help children in need, after losing a big corporate sponsor this year.

In a special week-long holiday series, NBC Chicago’s Evrod Cassimy is making a difference in the lives of Chicagoans who’ve been going through a hard time.

After the success of his 2023 Christmas single, “Please Come Home for Christmas,” NBC 5 Chicago morning co-anchor Evrod Cassimy has announced the upcoming release of his new holiday album, “Standing On Christmas.”

In a special week-long holiday series, NBC Chicago’s Evrod Cassimy is making a difference in the lives of Chicagoans who’ve been going through a hard time. The first surprise happened at the National Public Housing Museum.

A South Side Chicago fashion designer is paying it forward by teaching young students how to become fashion entrepreneurs. The program is called Cre8Space, and serves youth 18 to 24 years old from the South and West sides of the city. NBC 5’s LeeAnn Trotter explains. 

NBC 5, Telemundo Chicago and the Salvation Army are partnering once again for the 2024 Angel Tree gift donation program.

While many will be enjoying a Thanksgiving feast Thursday in the Chicago area, Christian Amezola knows there are many who won’t have that privilege.

You’ve heard of therapy dogs, but have you heard about miniature therapy horses? Mane in Heaven, a nonprofit in Barrington, is on a mission to help as many people as they can, and the staff at a North Side hospital experienced the benefits first hand.  LeeAnn Trotter has our Making a Difference report.

The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance in Chicago is working to protect and amplify Puerto Rico’s arts and culture, and the program’s executive director Ignacio Lopez speaks with Michelle Relerford about the group’s National Cuatro Festival Concert, coming up Nov. 2.

NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV), Telemundo Chicago (WSNS-TV) and Comcast NBCUniversal on Tuesday announced the return of the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants for its eighth consecutive year in 2025. The competitive grant challenge will award $227,272 in unrestricted funds to eligible organizations that serve or are based in the Chicago area.

“I have seen domestic violence as a firefighter. I have experienced domestic violence, and I also lost my mother to domestic violence.”